Monday, March 16, 2009

Braun Has Another Right "Intercostal" Strain, Brewers Nation Gasps

The same side that bothered Braun last season and really slowed him down in August and September has hit him again. Damn. Yesterday Braun was lifted in the 8th inning of the USA's game vs Netherlands in the WBC. Braun went 2-4 in the game and is now batting .429 in the tourney one of the few US players hitting on a consistent basis. He is not day-to-day with the injury and will probably not play tomorrow night. Braun will stay with the team in Miami for now and be examined by the Team USA trainers.

You know, I have been a huge advocate of the WBC and still am since injuries can happen in spring training games just as they can in this tournament. And I have loved seeing Braun rake for Team USA in the WBC, but he is too important to the Brewers and with as much as the injury slowed him last season I think it would be best for the Brewers to have Braun come back the Arizona and shut down for a week or two to totally heal up the "intercostal". Braun's swing looks good and he is really hitting so I don't think the time off will hurt him. We need him 100% going into the season can't take any chances. The one good thing is that any which way it does not seem serious at all but he still probably needs some time off to rest it.